One of the very small number of peacetime rankers who rose to commissioned service and command in the RFC. McCudden transferred to the flying corps in 1913 and served as an NCO until 1916, during which period he made a number of illicit flights as an observer, but winning the Croix de Guerre in the process. He then underwent pilot training, but it was not until August 1916 that he first flew scouts, in the form of DH.2s with No. 29 Squadron.
Receiving his commission on 1 January 1917 he became a flight commander on No.56 Squadron, flying SE.5s, and by November his score had reached 20.
As a fighter he was instinctively a loner, preferring to stalk his prey so as to attack unseen from close range. He took no leave to return home until April 1918 when, at an investiture, he received his VC, two DSOs and an MC (the highest single collection of awards at a single investiture).
He was killed, when his score stood at 57, turning back to his field after an engine failure.
All Aero 